Repentance

Matthew 9:13b “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Luke 15:7 “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Luke 24:47 “and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

What is repentance?  Jesus preached about it.  So did Peter and Paul. 

Let’s look at what repentance is not .

Repentance is not just a changed life. 

A smoker can decide to quit. A drunk can give up the booze.  A thief can quit stealing.  They can change their lifestyles without repentance. First of all, these changes are man-centered and not God-centered. The man who merely reforms has his eyes on the people he has offended and the consequences of his actions in his present life. The gospel, on the other hand, calls for “repentance toward God.”  (Acts 20:21)

The prodigal son got it right.  “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you”  (Luke 15:18) 

David got it right “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.”  (Psalm 51:4)

Repentance is sin-centered.  The man who reforms his life looks upon his actions as problems, but not as sin against a holy God. Those who repent, on the other hand, confess that they have sinned against God.  Admitting you have faults or problems is not the same as admitting you’ve sinned against God.

Repentance is not just being sorry. 

King Saul is a great Old Testament example. He was sorry that he got caught in various sinful acts, but he did not demonstrate repentance because his actions did not change (1 Sam. 15:24; 24:17; 26:21).

Judas is a New Testament example of a man who was remorseful but did not repent toward God.

Matthew 27:3-4  “ Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.””

Again, being sorry or remorseful is man-centered and not God-centered.

Repentance is also not just an acknowledgement of sin.

Pharaoh did this, but he did not repent toward God and his actions did not change.

Exodus 9:27 “And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.””

So let’s go back to the question.  What is repentance?

Repentance involves seeing yourself as God sees you.  It is an admission that you don’t measure up to God’s standards.  It must be followed by a deep desire not to repeat the same mistakes.  It results in a changed life; a life that yearns to be pleasing to God in every way.  It is a turning from a life of self and sin to a life of submission and obedience to God’s will.

Repentance means honestly dealing with sin in our lives.  What are you holding on to that you need to let go of?  What is it that is keeping you from a close walk with God?  Yield your life to Him.  Turn your back on your former ways.  Surrender to God.  Trust Him to do a new work in your life but be ready and willing for that to happen. 

God loves you and wants the best for you.  He can and will make it happen, if you just let Him.